With growing international collaboration (e.g. the European Composite Observing System programme – EUCOS), changing demands of data users, technical progress with new measuring systems and national budget cuts, the design of meteorological networks has become increasingly important. By analysing future user requirements and taking into account cost-benefit considerations, MeteoSwiss has elaborated a network configuration for ground-based and upper air stations. It is evident that for ground-based stations no separate networks should be distinguished – instead, the needs of climatological modellers and forecasters should all be integrated into one network. The future upper air network will be complemented with additional windprofilers, a mini radar and additional radar information supplied by neighbouring countries.